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LIGO Hanford Observatory Outreach Program

Frederick J. Raab, LIGO Hanford Observatory

Raab: LIGO Hanford Observatory Outreach Program

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Main Components of LHO Educational Outreach 1997-2001

Informal Education K-12 programs in collaboration with Pacific Northwest

National Laboratory (PNNL) and Educational Service District (ESD) 123 in southeast Washington.

University-level programs

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LHO Informal Education Activities

Observatory tours draw approx. 800-1000 visitors/yr» Einstein, interferometers and the work that we do.» Audience comes from professional groups, boy scouts, families,

bicycle club, etc.» Hosting WA State Science Teachers in Nov 01

Public talks and LIGO Public Lectures» Wheeler/Thorne lecture (00) drew > 350 people» Kamionkowski lecture (01)» Rotary/Kiwanis clubs & professional societies» Adler Planetarium lecture

Cooperative “happenings” w/ other outreach groups» Wheeler book signing at CREHST» B-Reactor reunion

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LHO K-12 Outreach

LIGO-SST involved 2 HS teachers, 6 students in summer w/ ~30 students each academic year

“The Scientific Method on the Job” video developed as Middle/High School science resource

Distance learning initiative with ESD 123 to develop interactive science programming for WA K-20 teleconferencing network

Teacher interns nominated by CREHST, ESD123 developed exhibit guide, lesson plans and K20 scripts in Jul01

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LHO University-Based Activities

REU program involves 3-4 undergrad research interns/yr» Betsy Weaver developed/commissioned vac-prep facility» Eric Morganson wrote earth-tides prediction software» Tom Corbitt developed automated laser sideband analyzer

Typically 2-4 grad students doing research» U.Rochester, U. Oregon, U. Michigan, Caltech, MIT, Penn.St.

Visitors program» U. Michigan, U. Oregon on long-term appointments

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Main Components of LHO Educational Outreach 2002-2006

Expand SST participation to more schools and more sites throughout nation via LSC.» Budgeted funding for program» Extension to Livingston Observatory» Also applying for RET funding to expand scope

Expand “distance learning” initiative through K20» More interactive programming» More teacher involvement through summer internships

University-level programs» Continue current scope through REU program» Goal to increase “breadth” of graduate-level students from other

fields

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LHO Educational Outreach 2002-2006, continued

Improve informal educational program within current envelope» More exhibits with “hands-on/minds-on” content

» Teacher-developed “use” plans and classroom materials

Work toward development of a regional science center for the inland Northwest» Develop exhibition plan with input from STC professionals and

teachers

» Develop 503-c group to govern and begin fund raising

» Deal with special nature of DOE-NSF-private enterprise

» Develop regional science consortium

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Regional Science Center

Partners/Resources» Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science & Technology

– Access to non-classified Hanford DOE artifacts– Active K-6, summer & “latchkey” programs in science & environment– Museum at ‘gateway’ to Hanford Works & Nat’l Monument

» Alliance for Science Teaching Through Astronomy– Robot 0.8-m observatory atop Rattlesnake Mountain for internet use in

classrooms

» B-Reactor Museum Society– World’s 1st production nuclear reactor

» Economic, Community and Tourism Development Agencies– Hungry to develop economic independence from D.O.E.

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Looking Forward from Today

Now that LHO has passed the “green-field” stage, we focus on constituencies where our outreach has the most potential –rural populations and groups traditionally under-served and under-represented in physical science

Under-represented groups surrounding LHO» Native Americans

» Latino Americans